This year the Americans with Disabilities Act will celebrate its 35th anniversary. Millions have been part of a national movement to make the promise of true equality for People with Disabilities a reality, but for too long many of our communities have viewed it as the finish line instead of the starting line. A growing number of Indiana’s Disability Community members say that they have been actively discouraged from doing anything to rock the boat.
In Indiana, as in other states, small groups of people have been actively making decisions that impact People with Disabilities, a culture that represents almost 20% Indiana’s population, with minimal input from most of those people, for far too long.
August 27-31, 2025
JW Mariott Downtown Indianapolis
This unconference will provide a four night/three-and-a-half-day educational advocacy training experience for diverse People with Disabilities in Indiana. Held in one space where all attendees and facilitators will actively shape and participate in the same programming, this unconference will focus on Disability History, Culture, Rights, Advocacy, and Community Engagement. National leaders like Jim Ward (ADA Watch) and Anita Cameron (Not Dead Yet) and many others will provide updates and participate in meaningful discussions, helping participants to identify next steps.
Scholarships available! The organizers of the Unconference are specifically looking for an audience of 50 diverse People with Disabilities from across Indiana, the majority of whom are not formally involved with the broader disability community but have passion to become active Advocates and Leaders. Consumers of services are more than welcome to apply, and are preferred!
Each attendee’s hotel room, parking, and 2 meals per day will be provided by the event sponsor, Everybody Counts, Inc.
Applicants must be adult (18+) who can self-identify as a person with a disability who lives or works in Indiana.
Our online application can be completed and submitted here: https://forms.gle/iTfv2d7mi89Kavz58, OR the following fillable PDF can also be emailed to or printed and mailed to the physical address at the top of the form. > Disability Empowerment Unconference Application
Unconference information itself can be found on this flyer > Disability Empowerment Unconference Flyer
